the update everyone's talking about

This one will be long, and hopefully worth your time. I'll start off by apologizing for not updating this more often, but this is the second chance I've had to even sit at a computer with internet access. I'm kinda in a normal routine now though, so expect weekly updates from here on out. Oh, and so far, I am unable to see what comments (if any) you guys have left me, but leave them anyway, I'll see them sooner or later. Have a contest to see who can leave the most. Thanks so much for checking this and talking to Pappy for me. He's listening.

Now for funny stuff: We've only been here for a little over a week (I think), and I'm feeling it pretty strong. I couldn't come close to telling you all the hilarious things that have happened, or even all the cool stuff that Pappy's done in providing for us. I have to shy away from talking about Pappy stuff for security reasons, but I can tell you about funny things.

Chinese people are great. They do not care about anything. They're super hospitiable, and they really want to get you drunk at night. Not only are the people cool, the food is really good, which I was suprised to find out (being that I'm so picky). I'm struggling to think of the top stories to share, so I'll just pick one.

We've been hiking through the countryside for the past 4 days (got back yesterday), and one day we came to a decent sized town. As we entered the town from the countryside, we walked right past a school. As we approached the school building, we notice that there are literally hundreds of kids standing outside their classrooms (the building is like 4 stories) staring at us, the braver ones are yelling "hallo" and blowing kisses (I think Chinese people think Americans blow kisses all the time, cause I've caught a lot of them). We waved to our countless number of fans, and to make a long story short, we ended up inside the school, and me, Jon, Jammies (Jeremiah), and T-Burk (Tanner), are going from class to class and speaking English to the students. I had about 300 conversations that went like this:

D.O.: what's your name?
Chinese kid: my name is ________.
D.O.: my name is D.O., nice to meet you.
Chinese kid: nice to meet you.

It was a beautiful thing. That is about all the English most these kids know. Except for the one smart girl at the front of one of the classes whose first question was logically, "what is your favorite fruit." Some of the classes we went to we took pictures with, and then every kid wanted individual pictures with each of us, so that proved to be funny and time consuming (note on pictues: I won't be able to post any of them until I return home, sorry). As the time came for us to leave (according to our schedule, not to the school's), we went out into the courtyard of the school where we took many more pictures with probably 200-300 kids. The principal of the school made sure to get many pictures with us, so he could brag to his friends of his new foreign friends. After picture time was finally over, kids started asking for more individual pictures and autographs. I gave one kid my autograph and told him not to tell anyone else, that it was a secret. I'm sure he fully understood what that meant. We finally made our escape by basically ignoring all the pleas from our loving fans and briskly walking away to freedom. I'd say we're about as famous here as *NSYNC was in the late 90's in the states.

I really enjoy being a foreigner, I think it's funny not being able to communicate (though frustrating at times), and it's like a challenge to learn a new language. I imagine I'll be pretty fluent by the time I come back. That's a lie.

I'm kinda at a loss as to what else to say here, I feel like I'm rambling but mom and dad probably wish I'd ramble for about four more page lengths. I guess I'll close out with some shout outs to people who I think may be checking this site, and then some lifting requests to seal the deal.

Ma and Pa: You people are great people. Thanks for lifting me up so much, and for being supportive of me doing this cultural exchange trip. Keep working out and holding my calls. Both of them. I love y'all. Tell Granny hi. And tell Misty ni hao.

Joshua: I'm seeing a lot of stuff I read about in your blog, so thanks for preparing me so well for this trip. I miss you dude, and I look forward with great expectation to our reunitation. We'll share pictures, hugs, tears, and punches.

Seth: I always thought you were funny, and I'm sure you're leaving the funniest of comments for the masses to read. Masses currently = everyone but D.O.

Supercinski's: I like y'all. Send my best regards to all the humans at LH that you'd like to. If that's nobody, then so be it.

Hendrick's: I really want to get your other two children squeeky shoes like the ones Matt got, but I don't know what sizes... if you don't watch out I'll just guess and your house will be that much louder than it already is.

Matt: dude, I used the phrase "he knows what's in the bag" the other day and it totally made sense. to the 3 English speaking people who were around me.

Becca: girl, I don't know if you're checking this or not, but I know I gave it to you, so you get some props for that. I imagine that you are far cooler than I realize, and I'll keep thinking that until I learn otherwise.

Kevin: glad you're in Jon's camp, and that you take such good pics.

Tommy: you are so tiiiight! I can't wait till you're married... synergy.

ok, sorry if I left anyone out, but like I said, I can't read the comments y'all leave, so I don't know who's here and who isn't. It's worth noting that most the stuff on my screen right now, and everytime I'm on the computer here, is in Chinese, which I haven't learned to read yet. Only about 7,000 characters left to learn. Alright, here are some lifting requests for you trip lifters:

- continued unity for our team
- protection against the enemy's attacks
- provision as we're out in the countryside, never knowing what is next (literally)
- for fertile soil in the people that the Univesity team comes across

Alright, I think that's it. Stay tuned for an update in about a week, and thanks soooo much for checking this and talking to Pappy for us. You people are beautiful, I don't care what everyone else says. I never have.